Senior Director of Membership Sales & Growth

Portal Innovations LLC • Chicago, IL

62d • $200,000 - $225,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We're looking for a senior-level, hands-on sales leader who is equally energized by closing new deals and building lasting member relationships. As the Senior Director of Membership Sales & Growth, you will be the primary revenue driver for Portal Innovations Chicago owning the full membership strategy and personally executing it, from first outreach to signed agreement. You'll work closely with the Executive Director, Ops Team and COO to close membership agreements, ensure member needs are met, and deliver a seamless experience from first conversation to long-term membership. In this role, you won't just fill space, you'll be the face of Portal Innovations Chicago, championing the community and helping innovators understand the full value of what Portal offers: world-class lab facilities, a thriving ecosystem of peers and mentors, access to capital, and a team genuinely invested in their success. If you're a proven closer with deep roots in life sciences, pharma, med device, or related fields and you're ready to lead membership growth for one of the most exciting innovation hubs in the region this role was built for you.

Requirements

• 5+ years in sales, business development, or membership growth ideally in life sciences, pharma, med device, lab services, or innovation/incubator environments.
• A track record of personally closing complex, consultative deals.
• An existing network in the Chicago or Midwest startup and life sciences ecosystem is a meaningful advantage.
• Strong communicator equally effective in cold outreach, pitches, or a personalized lab tour.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar) and a disciplined approach to pipeline management.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

• An existing network in the Chicago or Midwest startup and life sciences ecosystem is a meaningful advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own the full membership sales cycle from strategic prospecting and pipeline development to tailored proposals, lab tours, negotiation, and close.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline through your existing network in life sciences, pharma, med device, and adjacent fields and by creating new relationships with VCs, accelerators, universities, and ecosystem partners.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to members: understanding their evolving needs, identifying expansion opportunities, and ensuring long-term retention.
• Partner with Lab Operations and Member Experience to deliver seamless onboarding and day-to-day member support.
• Maintain CRM discipline (pipeline accuracy, forecasting, reporting) and represent Portal at key industry events across the Chicago and Midwest ecosystem.

Benefits

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision
• Life and Disability Benefits
• Flexible PTO Policy
• Generous Parental Leave
• 401K Program
• In Office Perk: Unlimited Coffee and Snacks to keep you going throughout the day

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior